A National Historic Landmark, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is considered one of the earliest and most significant Second Empire Style country houses in the United States. Built by financier and railroad baron LeGrand Lockwood between 1864 and 1868, the Mansion, with its Gilded Age interiors and furniture, illustrates the splendor of the Victorian Era.

This important and intriguing new exhibit, curated by Kathleen Motes Bennewitz, aims to make real the 'invisible' workers who made the lavish household run, especially the Irish immigrants and African-Americans whose livelihoods depended on their wealthy employers.  Visitors will follow the servants' paths through the mansion, experiencing three distinct worlds—the public, family, and staff lives--during the mansion's seven decades as a private residence.

While the domestic servants worked long ten-hour shifts seven days a week, they did retire to comfortable quarters, which are open to the public for the first time. According to the New York Sun in 1869, the lodgings created by LeGrand Lockwood “equal the chambers of a first class hotel”

The exhibit will continue through October 20, 2016 at the Mansion Museum, located at 295 West Avenue in Norwalk. For information on hours, schedules and programs visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, see info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or phone 203-838-9799.

For more information about lodging, dining and other activities in the nearby Fairfield County area and a free copy of UNWIND, a full-color, 152-page booklet detailing what to do and see, and where to stay, shop and dine throughout Fairfield County and the Litchfield Hills of Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit their web site at www.visitwesternct.com